SUZUKA (Japan), Oct 12: Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher seized the 50th pole position of his Formula One career Saturday in a qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix interrupted by Allan McNish crashing heavily.

Ferrari swept the front row for the second race in succession and sixth time this season with Brazilian Rubens Barrichello 0.432 of a second off Schumacher’s time of one minute 31.317 seconds.

Grid positions: 1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari one minute 31.317 seconds (average speed 229.481 kph); 2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:31.749; 3. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1:32.088; 4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren 1:32.197; 5. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams 1:32.444; 6. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1:32.507; 7. Takuma Sato (Japan) Jordan 1:33.090; 8. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Jordan 1:33.276; 9. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) BAR 1:33.349; 10. Jenson Button (Britain) Renault 1:33.429; 11. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1:33.547; 12. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Sauber 1:33.553; 13. Mika Salo (Finland) Toyota 1:33.742; 14. Eddie Irvine (Britain) Jaguar 1:33.915.—Reuters